Prayer Request 3/7 - 3/13

Tuesday
Everywhere in China in the early morning or evening people occupy public places to square dance. Those who participate in the dances are mostly middle-aged women who organize themselves in a military-like formation. The vast majority of churches in China are very low key. We pray for those churches that have tried to​ ​distribute gospel tracts in the streets. May the Lord give them wisdom as they share Jesus boldly and may there be much fruit.​
Wednesday
The affectionate term for all of those retired middle-aged women who like to dance to loud music in large groups in parks and public squares in every city in China is "da ma" (literally Chinese aunt). ​Women outnumber men in the churches in China and they are the backbone of all the ministries. China also has the largest number of female pastors in the world. ​We praise God​ for all of the sisters who serve in their churches. May the Lord bless each one of them abundantly.
Thursday
Residents near the venues where ​ladies dance to loud music in China complain bitterly since they are fed up with the daily noise and music blasting from the large loud speakers. ​In the Three-Self churches, nearly a quarter of all the pastors are women. We pray for insight and the teaching of God’s Word as they lead and feed their flocks. We pray, too, for their families and especially those of the single women pastors, that they will understand.​
Friday
​In China there are about one hundred million "Da ma" (Chinese aunts)--a huge block of consumers. Collectively they decide what their families will spend. They do things in droves, certainly in entertaining, dancing, vacations, and even in speculating on real estate. Nearly seventy percent of believers in China are women, many retired. They can help in the church in just about any ministry, especially in those churches without pastors. We praise the Lord for all of the sisters who s​erve their churches unselfishly.
Saturday
The dance craze in China began probably in the 1990's as tens of millions of state-owned companies laid off workers and caused many women to be instantly unemployed. Public dancing became an obvious and cheap way to get exercise and socialize. We pray that churches will care for and equip the retired sisters to serve there more effectively.​ ​ May the Lord grant them wisdom and humility as they learn to serve and become a true blessing in their churches.​
Sunday
China recently passed a new law which legally defines domestic violence and requires police intervention. This law mandates that when reported, the local courts must rule on restraining orders within two days. Those who are convicted can then be sentenced to an imprisonment of up to seven years. Praise God for this positive step the Chinese government is taking against domestic violence. We pray especially for families in​ the church that are struggling with marital discord and abusive relationships. May the Lord have mercy on them and may the churches themselves be able to help them in various ways.
Monday
The official government report says that one in four women in China has suffered domestic abuse. Almost 40% of the women in China who are married or are in a relationship, have experienced some form of abuse.​We pray that the church in China will confront the issue of violence at home head on--male and female pastors alike will preach against such violence and help those who are victims of abuse.​


星期二
中國到處可見的「廣場舞大軍」，幾乎佔據了每個城鎮的公共空間。無論晨昏，許多中年女性都聚在一起，按照傳統軍事會操的方塊隊形列陣練舞。絕大多數中國教會是相當低調的，不會公開表態信仰。我們為那些嘗試在街上分發福音單張的弟兄姊妹禱告，求主賜他們智慧與靈巧，勇敢與人分享信仰的福音, 也能播撒好種子，並且結實櫐櫐。
星期三
「廣場舞大媽」通常指成群的中年女性，她們在各地公園及廣場上集結，隨著震耳欲聾的音樂起舞。中國女性信徒多，而且都踴躍參與教會各項事工。中國女傳道、女牧師的比率，或許是世界第一。我們為每一位在教會服事的姊妹感恩，願她們都得著上好的福份，在主裡得著永恒的獎賞。
星期四
對於居民來說(尤其是廣場附近的居民)，大媽每天的聚集，音箱音量已造成環境污染，不僅是妨礙了公共安寧，更是長期佔用了大眾廣場或公園的運作空間。在三自教會裡 ，女牧者占全國牧師的四分一，家庭教會也有許多女傳道。求主啟迪她們，能正確分解神的話語，餵養羊群。也求主祝福她們的家庭，尤其是記念單身女傳道的許多難處和需要。
星期五
估計中國大媽人數超過一億，她們掌握家庭的經濟大權，做任何事都成群結隊，娛樂、跳舞、旅遊，甚至結隊炒賣樓房、股票。中國教會女性信徒占七成，許多已經退休，能有更多空閒投入教會各樣服事，尤其是在沒有專職牧師的教會，這是中國教會特別的祝福，感謝神！求神記念她們無私的擺上。
星期六
席捲全中國的廣場舞熱潮，其源起追溯1990年代，數千萬國企員工下崗，大批中國大媽失業。大媽們渴望追求健康及娛樂，卻缺乏公共設施及資源。她們時間多，但錢不多。廣場舞成為惠而不費的鍛鍊、交際上佳選項。求主幫助教會關顧那些已退休且能參與服事的姊妹們，給予真理裝備與培養她們教導能力。求主賜智慧和謙卑的心給她們，能成為教會的祝福。
星期日
中國開始制定第一條關於家暴的法律，正式定義家庭暴力，警方必須正式回應家庭暴力的舉報，法庭要在兩天內發佈禁制令。一經定罪，最高可被判處七年徒刑。感謝主，中國政府開始正視家庭暴力的問題。我們為面對夫妻不和，甚至有家暴難題的信徒夫妻禱告，求神施恩憐憫，又賜教會有智慧能給予實際的幫助與輔導。
星期一
根據官方的婦聯估計，有25%的中國婦女曾經歷家庭虐待。而在交往中或婚姻裡的女性，也有接近四成者曾經歷某種形式的虐待。我們為社會能更關注家庭暴力來禱告，又為牧者(包括男和女的傳道)能有神的話語有力地防範相關的家暴，並用主的愛實際地幫助家中有難處的受虐肢體。